Move will focus on marine business
Markel International, the international property and casualty insurer, has announced plans to open business in Sweden in its first move into the Nordic markets.
Markel International Sweden, headquartered in Stockholm, will be a branch of Markel International Insurance Company Limited and will focus initially on writing a portfolio of marine business with a view to broadening its product offering over time. It is expected that the office will open for business in the first quarter of 2008.
Markel has appointed Ove Staaf as general manager. Ove joins from QBE where he held the position of general manager of their Swedish branch office. He has over 30 years marine experience and brings with him an excellent knowledge of the Nordic markets plus established relationships with brokers and clients.
Paul Jenks, managing director of Markel International’s Marine & Energy division, commented: "Less than two months ago we announced our move into Singapore – we are now taking our first steps into the Nordic markets. Scandinavia has well-established insurance markets and strong economies. I am confident that Markel International Sweden, led by Ove, will be a great success."
Ove said: "I am delighted to be joining Markel and believe that the company’s ethos will be a good fit in our markets."
